Ventilation device for a motor vehicle and mounting method

Abstract

A ventilation device for a motor vehicle includes a frame defining an opening for an air flow, and at least one flap mounted so as to rotate relative to the frame about a pivot axis between an open position, suitable for allowing the air flow to pass, and a closed position, suitable for reducing the intensity of the air flow or changing its direction. The flap extends along the pivot axis and has a first end and a second end that are opposite one another along this axis and mounted so as to rotate on the frame around the pivot axis. The ventilation device further includes an intermediate support located between the first end and the second end along the pivot axis. The flap is mounted so as to rotate on the intermediate support relative to the frame about the pivot axis, the intermediate support being attached on the frame.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A ventilation device for a motor vehicle, the ventilation device comprising:
 a frame defining an opening for an air flow having an intensity and a direction relative to the frame, and 
 at least one flap mounted so as to rotate relative to the frame about a pivot axis between an open position, suitable for allowing the air flow to pass, and a closed position, suitable for reducing the intensity of the air flow or changing the direction of the air flow, the flap extending along the pivot axis and having a first end and a second end that are opposite one another along the pivot axis, 
 wherein: 
 each of the first end and the second end is mounted so as to rotate on the frame about the pivot axis, and 
 the ventilation device further comprises an intermediate support located between the first end and the second end along the pivot axis, the flap being mounted so as to rotate on the intermediate support relative to the frame about the pivot axis, the intermediate support being a separate part from the frame and attached on the frame, 
 wherein the flap comprises: 
 a body extending from the first end to the second end along the pivot axis, and 
 a fastening portion secured to the body and forming one of a first intermediate pin and a first intermediate housing, the intermediate support forming the other of the first intermediate pin and the first intermediate housing, the first intermediate pin being located in the first intermediate housing to form a first intermediate pivot about the pivot axis between the flap and the intermediate support, the first intermediate pin and the first intermediate housing being configured to nest one in the other along the pivot axis, and 
 wherein the fastening portion forms one of a second intermediate pin and a second intermediate housing, the intermediate support forming the other of the second intermediate pin and the second intermediate housing, the second intermediate pin being located in the second intermediate housing in order to form a second intermediate pivot about the pivot axis between the flap and the intermediate support, the second intermediate pin being configured to snap in the second intermediate housing along an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis, 
 wherein the first intermediate housing completely surrounds the first intermediate pin about the pivot axis, and 
 wherein a first end housing completely surrounds a first end pin about the pivot axis, the first end of said flap forming one of the first end pin and the first end housing, and the frame forming the other of the first end pin and the first end housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate support couples two portions of the frame along a transverse axis perpendicular to the pivot axis, the two portions being separated by the opening along the transverse axis. 
     
     
       3. The ventilation device according to  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate support is screwed or snapped on each of two portions of the frame. 
     
     
       4. The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of flaps mounted so as to rotate on the frame respectively about pivot axes between an open position, suitable for allowing the air flow to pass, and a closed position, suitable for reducing the intensity of the air flow or changing the direction of the air flow, the flaps forming a screen suitable for hiding the intermediate support for an observer located on the other side of the screen relative to the intermediate support along an axis perpendicular to the opening. 
     
     
       5. The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second end forms one of a second end pin and a second end housing, the frame forming the other of the second end pin and the second end housing, the second end pin being located in the second end housing in order to form at least part of a second end pivot about the pivot axis between the flap and the frame. 
 
     
     
       6. The ventilation device according to  claim 5 , wherein the second end housing is configured to receive the second end pin along an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
       7. The ventilation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the ventilation device comprises at least one holding part attached on the frame in order to keep the second end pin in the second end housing along said axis. 
     
     
       8. A method for assembling the ventilation device defined in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 mounting the flap on the intermediate support, 
 mounting the first end of the flap on the frame, 
 mounting the second end of the flap on the frame, and 
 fastening the intermediate support on the frame.